How to see the world's best players at Australian Open for under $40

Blockbuster matches will kick-off Melbourne’s Australian Open, in what is being billed as the biggest build-up ever to the Grand Slam, with Carlos Alcaraz, Alex de Minaur and tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios to star.

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, great Aussie hope Alex de Minaur and tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios will headline the biggest build up to the Australian Open ever, next month.

Tennis Australia will on Friday unveil a blockbuster series of matches to be served up in AO Opening Week, presented by the Herald Sun.

Alcaraz is set to take on de Minaur in an exciting match three days before the main draw of the Melbourne Grand Slam roars to life.

Defending AO champion Jannik Sinner, World No. 3 Alexander Zverev, World No. 5 Felix Auger Aliassime and World No. 8 Lorenzo Musetti will also be part of the action. — along with more stars to be announced in coming weeks.

Despite being sidelined with injury for much of the year, the Herald Sun can reveal crowd favourite Kyrgios will return to centre court to play the $1m One Point Slam, alongside Alcaraz.

Alcaraz and de Minaur before the 2024 Australian Open. Picture: Getty

Six of the top 10 ATP players will take part in Opening Week, from January 12-17, with tickets on sale via Ticketmaster from noon Friday.

Australian Open director Craig Tiley said fans would have a better chance than ever to get close to some of the game’s brightest stars for as little as $32 for adults and $26 for children.

“Opening Week in 2026 will be the biggest we’ve delivered yet,” he said.

“From blockbuster match-ups featuring Carlos Alcaraz, Alex de Minaur and Jannik Sinner to the high-stakes drama of the One Point Slam, fans will see some of the best players in the world for a fraction of the price.’’

Kids will be admitted to Melbourne Park for free on day one of Opening Week, with the entire AO precinct open for the week for the first time, including the popular AO Ballpark and Topcourt.

AO Live Opening Week will see music acts such as Hot Chip, The Presets, Cassian and Elderbrook perform across four nights.

Kyrgios in action at Wimbledon in 2022. Picture: Getty

Alcaraz celebrates a point against Jack Draper in the 2025 Australian Open. Picture: Getty

There will be live music every night on Grand Slam Oval during Opening Week.

Kids Tennis Day, fast-paced tournament Red Bull Baseline, main draw qualifying and daily open practice sessions featuring star players will return for a week that has transformed Melbourne’s “Happy Slam” into 21 day drawcard.

Melbourne Park king Nokak Djokovic is also tipped to host a charity night, as he hunts an unprecedented 11th AO crown.

More than 116,500 fans attended Opening Week this year, helping push the three week AO attendance total to a record 1.2m.

Mr Tiley expected even more people to attend next month, with a bigger and better program of events and players.

More than 116,500 fans attended the 2025 AO opening week. Picture: Getty

“The entire precinct will be open from day one, with world-class tennis in Rod Laver Arena in a series of charity showdowns, AO qualifying, live music, Kids Tennis Day and so much for fans to experience,” he said.

“AO Live will bring four huge nights of music to Topcourt, plus live music across Grand Slam Oval every night.

“Whether you’re here for the tennis, the entertainment or the atmosphere, there’s something happening in every corner of the precinct.”

Originally published as How to see the world's best players at Australian Open for under $40